MOCOM Compounds GmbH & Co. KG, a compounder of thermoplastic polymers, expands its know-how in sustainability through a consolidation with WIPAG GmbH. This move emphasizes the company's focus on sustainable products as well as plastics for lightweight and lighting applications. Both companies are part of the family-owned Otto Krahn Group GmbH, based in Hamburg, and will operate in the market under the brand name MOCOM in the future.
"MOCOM and WIPAG represent the compounding sector of our group of companies. To leverage synergies and meet the increased demand for recycled products, we are merging the two companies," says Philip O. Krahn, CEO of the Otto Krahn Group. "We believe that together, under the MOCOM brand, they form a strong team, and our customers and partners will benefit from this."
"The changes associated with the consolidation will be implemented step by step. They will not have any impact on customers, contract partners, or existing business relationships. "It may happen that we restructure the production of individual products within Germany. However, such changes will be communicated to the affected companies in a timely manner," Jens Kaatze,
As a result of the merger, MOCOM will produce at the German locations in Gardelegen, Hamburg and Zuelpich, as well as in Changshu (China) and Duncan (USA).
The consolidation also offers MOCOM the opportunity to reposition itself in the market: knowledge of circular economy concepts and use of recyclates are important pillars in the strategic orientation. In the future, the compounder will provide enhanced advice to customers and partners on sustainability, the use of recyclates, and circular solutions. The sustainable compounds WIC, WIPAFLEX, and WIPELAST from WIPAG complement the current ECO product portfolio of MOCOM optimally.
Lighting and Lightweight
As part of the new strategic direction, the compounder increasingly focuses on the extensive ECO portfolio and compounds for lightweight applications, which are used, among other things, in applications in the field of e-mobility. Based on Post Consumer Recyclate (PCR) and Post Industrial Recyclate (PIR), MOCOM offers a broad technical product portfolio of sustainable materials under the brands Altech® ECO and Alfater XL® ECO. MOCOM also develops custom compounds made from bio-based raw materials. The extensive lighting portfolio is also complemented by recyclate-based solutions such as Alcom® LB ECO, which is used in reflector applications due to its highly reflective and light-tight properties, as well as Alcom® LD ECO for light-diffusing applications.
New Production Hall for Carbon Fiber Reinforced Compounds
In order to further expand the range of sustainable lightweight solutions, a new production building is currently being built in Germany for the manufacturing of high-quality carbon fiber reinforced compounds. "The construction of the new production facility in Gardelegen is expected to be completed by the beginning of next year," says Jens Kaatze. "We will start with one extrusion line and the equipment for processing the carbon fibers from post-industrial waste for compounding. The hall is dimensioned in such a way that additional extrusion lines can be accommodated," adds Kaatze. Starting in 2024, more than 3,000 tons of high-quality carbon fiber reinforced compounds can be produced. The reuse of carbon fibers from post industrial waste significantly reduces the CO2-footprint of the resulting very light and highly durable plastics.
MOCOM is exhibiting its sustainable portfolio at Fakuma in Friedrichshafen.
